Florida Hurricane Evacuation Zones - Lets Get Ready!!
Hurricane evacuation zones occur where the storm surge is most prominent. The storm surge is more fatal and destructive than the Hurricane itself.
A storm surge is a powerful and abnormal rise in the water level that is pushed onshore during a storm by strong winds.
The storm surge is typically above where the predicted level of water was forecasted to be. The storm surge can travel several miles inland specifically along bays, rivers, and estuaries. A storm tide is also something to observe, a storm tide is the total observed seawater level during a storm. This results from the storm surge and the astronomical tide. The astronomical tide is caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. The greatest variation in astronomical tide occurs during new moons and full moons.
When the sun, moon, and earth are in alignment the highest storm tides occur. The storm surge, the storm tide, and the astronomical tide are not easily predicted. The data you see on the news about these phenomenon are theory, it is key to understand how quickly a hurricane can turn and these fatal side effects can occur, be prepared.
In Florida since we are geographically low lying there are many areas that are in the hurricane evacuation zone. Once you have identified that you are located in an evacuation zone it is important to think of where you will go if there is a mandatory evacuation. Have a plan and get an evacuation strategy. Road work rapidly varying in Florida so it is important to understand where you will go and how you will get there every hurricane season.
Below is a list of hurricane evacuation zones in Florida:
Storm Surge Graphic NOAA: https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanservice-prod/annualreport13/images/1-coops-large.jpg
